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W. D. FREDRICK, W. E. G'LASPEY AND C. F. COX. VIAL NECKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1914. RENEWED OCT. 25. I916.

1,23%,778. Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET I.

W. D. FREDRICK, W. E. GLASPEY AND C. F. COX.

VIAL NECKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23. 1914. RENEWED 0CT.25. 1916. 13223781 Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2- Warrcn/Efiaqvg 1 Mk6 274212;.

W. D. FREDRICK, W. E. GLASPEY AND C. F. COX.

VIAL NECKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1914.. 1,8Q2fi78.

RENEWED OCT. 25. I916.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

W. D. FREDRICK, W. E. GLASPEY AND C. F. COX.

VIAL NECKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1914. 1,3%2,7?&

RENEWED OCT. 25. 1916.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- FEET) STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

WILLIAM DAYTON FREDRICK, WARREN E. GLASPEY, AND CHARLES F. COX, 0F BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS T0 MILLVILEE MACHINE COMPANY OF MILLVILLE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

VIAL-NECKING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 25-, 1919..

Application filed November 2-3, 1914, Serial No. 873,610. Renewed October 25, 1916. Serial No. 127,729.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WIILIAM DAY- TON F REDRICK, WVARREN E. GLASPEY, and CHARLES F. Cox, citizens of the United States, and residents of Bridgeton, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Vial-Necking Machines, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to the manufacture of small glass bottles or, as they are termed in the trade, vials. As is well known, these bottles or vials are made from sections of previously formed glass tubes cut to proper length; which sections are subsequently acted upon by suitable means, including the heating of the glass, for the purpose of forming the necessary necks and bottoms.

The general practice heretofore has been to perform these operations by hand; suitable means being provided in the shape of flame jets to heat the ends of the tube sections to an extent sufficient to soften the glass whereby the necks and mouths, and the bottoms could be formed.

Our present invention relates to a machine adapted to form automatically the neck and mouth portion of the vials or bottles; the operation being performed simultaneously upon both ends of a blank comprising a section of glass tubing and from the partially finished blank so prepared two vials may be produced; such blank being separated intermediate its ends and the separate sections subsequently bottomed in a bottoming machine forming the subject of a companion application filed November 23, 1914, Serial No. 873,609.

These and other features of our invention are more fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view of a machine designed for operating upon blank sections of glass tubing to form mouth and neck portions at opposite ends of the same;

Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, is an end elevation, partly in section on the line 33, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 5, is an elevation, partly in section, of the chuck carrier showing the chuck rotating means;

Fig. 6, is a sectional view of one of the chucks, taken on the line 66, Fig. 7

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8, is a sectional view, on the line 38, Fig. 3, illustrating the chuck open- ,mg means;

Fig. 9, is a sectional view on the line 9, Fig. 3; K

Fig. 10, is a detached view illustrating a detail of the invention, and

Fig. 11, is a sectional view on the line 11-11, Fig. at.

In the drawings, 1 represents a bed-plate, which may be supported by any suitable means, having at one end brackets 2 with bearings 3, in which a main driving shaft 4 is journaled. This shaft may be driven by a pulley 5 to which motion is imparted in any suitable manner, and splined to said shaft t is an adjustable friction pinion 6 whereby motion of said shaft may be imparted to a friction disk 7, mounted on the end of a shaft 8 journaled in suitable bearings 9. To effect adjustment of the friction pinion on the shaft 4, in order to effect changes in the speed of motion transmitted to the disk 7, a screw shaft 10 may be arranged parallel to said shaft 4 and provided with a nut 11 having a yoke arm 12 for operative engagement with a hub 13 carried by said friction pinion 6.

Keyed to the shaft 8 is a. gear wheel 14 which moves therewith when the friction disk is driven, and this gear wheel meshes with anddrives a gear wheel 15 on the end of a short'countershaft 1G journaled in extensions 9 of the bearings 9. This shaft 16 carries a gear wheel 17. meshing with a pinion 18, mounted on the hub of a gear wheel 19, loose on the shaft 8.

At the opposite end of the shaft 8 is provided a pinion 20 meshing with a gear wheel 21 mounted on a stud 22 fixed to a bracket 23 carried by the bed-plate 1. Fixed to and mounted above the bed-plate 1 are a pair of supplemental tables 25 and 26, spaced apart,and between said tables is mounted a rotatable chuck-carrying member 29 in which is mounted a plurality of chucks 30 adapted to receive the sections of glass tubes comprising the blanks.

Superposed above the main driving shaft 8 and in alinement therewith is a shaft 35 which carries bevel pinions 36, 37 and 38, and a gear wheel 39. Surrounding this shaft is a sleeve 40 journaled in bearings 41 and 42, carried by the bed-plate 1; such sleeve also serving as a journal for one end of the shaft 35, while the opposite end of said shaft is journaled in a bearing43 depending from the table 26. Said shaft 35 is driven from the gear Wheel-21 the latter having a hub receiving pinion 44 meshing with a gear Wheel 45 on a shaft 46 journaled in a suitable bearing 47, carried by the bracket 23; said gear wheel 45 meshing with an idler 48, which in turn meshes with and drives the gear wheel 39 on said shaft 35.

For the purpose of driving the sleeve 40, a gear wheel 50 is provided, which is in mesh with the gear wheel 19 loose on the shaft 8; said gear wheel 19 receiving its motion from the gear wheel 17 on the countershaft 16. In addition, there is keyed to this sleeve 40 a gear wheel 52 centrally disposed with respect to the chucks and meshing with and driving a series of gear wheels 53, three in the present instance mounted in the chuck carrier whereby said chucks may be rotated; the present arrangement being to rotate said chucks at a relatively high speed.

The chuck carrier has a portion 29 journaled on the sleeve 40, and another portion 29 keyed to a sleeve 55 which is journaled on said sleeve 40; one end of said sleeve 55 carrying a mutilated gear 56, which is disposed to one side of said chuck carrier and at some distance therefrom. Meshing with said mutilated gear 56 is a second mutilated gear wheel 60 carried by the short shaft 46 having the movement-transmitting gear Wheel 45. The chuck carrier 29 which carries the series of rotatable chucks is additionally rotated on the axis of the sleeve 40, and in addition to the rotative movement of said-carrier the chucks mounted therein are independently driven. This carrier comprises a pair of shells 29, 29 inclosing the gear wheels 52 and 53, and the chucks are axially disposed with respect to said gear wheels 53; the latter having enlarged central openings to receive the same.

The chucks comprise jaws 62 mounted in the open centers 63 of the gear wheels; each of said jaws being provided with a pin 64 radially movable inv said gear wheels 53; springs 65 being interposed between the base of sockets 66 receiving said pins and the heads 67 of the latter. The tendency of these springs is to open the jaws, and this tendency is resisted by a pair of collars 68 carried by each chuck; said collars having vided, each of said said collars having beveled Walls 71 to act upon the flaring or wedge-shaped ends 72 of the jaws 62 so as to hold the latter in engagement with the blanks.

The collars 68 form trunnions for the chucks, being journaled in thesections 29*- and 29 of the chuck carrier, and in order that said collars may rotate with the gear wheel 53, they are secured thereto, preferably by a pin or key 73.

In order that the chucks may be opened for the discharge of a mouthed blank and the reception of a fresh blank section of glass tubing, squeezing means, in the shape of a pair of contractile plates 75 is proplates having rotatable rings '76 with ball bearings 77 for engagement with the collars 68 of the chucks.

Suitably journaled in a bearing 80 is a rock shaft 81 having ears 82, to which links 83 are connected; the opposite, ends of said links being attached at 84 to ears carried by the plates 75. Carried by the rock shaft is an'arm 85 whereby it may be operated. by a link 86 in a manner hereinafter described; the opposite end of said link being attached'at 87 to a lever 88 pivotally mounted on the shaft 8, and having its opposite end 89 under the control of a plunger 90 whereby it may be operated, (Fig. 3). To restore this lever to its normal position, a spring 91 may be employed. The plunger 90 is provided at its upper end with a strap 92 encircling the hub of the gear 60, and in addition said plungercarries a projection or shelf 93 for engagement by a cam 94 mounted on said gear 60 whereby said plunger may be lowered to efiect'movement of the lever 88, which is in turn imparted to the link and rock shaft 81.

In order that the plates 75 may have proper bearings for movement when expanded or contracted, said plates are provided with hubs 95 adapted to slide on arms 96 disposed at right angles to the rock shaft 81 and in front of the supplemental tables 26 and 27. I The plates 75, as well as the rotatable rings 76 carried thereby are provided with open centers for the passage of blanks from the feed trough 97 to one of the chucks in alinement or registry therewith, and the delivery of the necked blanks from the chucks to the receiving tray 98. The blanks are delivered to the feed trough along a runway consisting of inclined channel guides 99. When in the fully expanded position. there is suflicient room between the plates 75 for the passage of a blank held by a chuck.

In operation, one of the fresh blanks is employed for the purpose of pushing out the necked blank, and for the purpose of moving said fresh blank into position in a chuck, a sliding finger is provided, carried by a bracket 101 adapted to slideways 102 formed on the sides of the feed trough 97; said bracket 101 being connected by a link 103 to a lever 104 pivoted to the table 26 at 105, and being slotted at 106 for the reception of an operating pin 107 carried by a face plate 108 having a hub 109 journaled on a vertical pin 110 depending from said table 26; said face plate being driven from the bevel gear 38 on the shaft 35, which bevel gear meshes with a bevel gear wheel 111 keyed to said hub 109.

The chuck carrier, it will be noticed, carries three chucks, (although more or less may be provided if desired) and in the operation of the apparatus one of these chucks is in a position to discharge a partially finished blank and receive a fresh section; another chuck carries a section or blank having its ends heated, and the other chuck, which for the purpose of this description is the one in the highest position, is carrying the blank or section of glass undergoing the necking operation.

While this necking operation is in progress, it is necessary that the chuck carrier be held in a substantially rigid position, particularly as the chucks are being rotated in a more or less rapid manner, and in order to effect this action the gear 60 is provided with a steadying plate 114 adapted to rotate with said gear as the chuck carrier is rotated, and during the intervals of rest of said carrier, the periphery 115 of said steadying plate is disposed in engagement with arcuate surfaces 116 formed on the periphery of a plate 117 carried by the gear wheel 56. During the interval that the said plate 114 is in contact with the arcuate surfaces 116, the operation of necking the blank is taking place, and when said plate moves away from its engagement with one of said surfaces, the teeth of the mutilated gear 60 mesh with one set of the teeth of the mutilated gear 56 and shift the chuck carrier one-third of a revolution, bringing another chuck with a second blank in position to be necked; the periphery 115 of the plate 114 engaging the next arcuate surface of the plate 117 in the same manner as before.

Mounted on sleeves 120, 120, which are rotatably'mounted on studs 121, 121 disposed between the brackets 41 and 42 and the tables 25 and 26, respectively, are gear wheels 122, 122, which mesh with and are driven by the gear wheels 36 and 37. The sleeves 1 20, 120, also carry and drivemutilated gears, 123, 123, each of which has two sets of teeth 124 and 125 and 124 and 125, which mesh with pinions 126, 126, mounted on studs 127, 127, carried by brackets 128', 128, disposed between the bed-plate 1 and the tables 25 and 26, respectively.

On the hubs of the pinions 126, 126, are

mounted face plates 129, 129, having pins 130, 130 operating in slots 131, 131, in plates 132, 132 slidably mounted on the tables 25 and 26, respectively. The plates 132, 132, have adjustably fixed thereto second plates 133,133, having at-one end slotted projections 134, 134, carrying mouthf'orming plungers 135, 135. At the opposite end of the plates 133, 133, disks 136, 136 are pivotally mounted, each ,having a pair of pins 137, 137 on which pairs of links 138, 138 are mounted; the opposite ends of said links being connected at 139, 139 to levers 140, 140. These levers are pivoted at 141, '141, to the plates 133, 133; the opposite ends 142, 142 of said levers constituting the neck-forming members, between which and the ends of the mouth-forming plungers 135, 135 the walls of the glass tube are held and shaped. The disks 136, 136 have projections 143, 143 to which are pivoted resilient links 144, 144; the opposite ends of which are pivoted to the ends 145, 145 of bell-crank levers 146, 146; the opposite ends 147, 147 of said levers carrying pins 148, 148 lying in the path of cam plates 150, 150 mounted on the upper face of the gears 123, 123 whereby they may be operated.

The projections 143, 143 of the disks 136, 136 carry blocks 151, 151 through which the ends of the links 144, 144 may slide; being normally held in the extended position, with nuts 152, 152 on the ends of said links in engagement with said blocks, by means of springs 153, 153. This construction provides a yielding engagement for the neck forming members 142, 142.

The lever sections 140, 140 and 142, 142 are carried by split blocks 155, 155, each comprising a pair of sections. the lower section of each set carrying the pivot pins 141, 141. The sections of these blocks are secured together by stud bolts 156 and 156, thereby holding in place the link sections 140, 140 and 1 $2, 142. The stems 135, 135 have projections or centering points 157, 157 adapted to enter the ends of the tubes and form the mouths of the respective ends of the blanks, while the ends of the members 142, 142 are shaped to form the external neck and head'of the blank; said several elements being held in a fixed position, while the blank is being rotated by the chucks with respect to the same. These several elements are of substantially the same character and are operated in a manner substantially the same as the ordinary hand-operated neck forming tools usually employed in the manufacture of bottles.

For the purpose of heating the glass, several sets. of burners are arranged whereby flame jets may be directed toward the ends of the blank sections; such burners being shown at and 171 for the preliminary heating of the ends of the blanks, wiile jets 172, 173, 174 and 175, are directed from opposite positions toward the ends of the blanks while the necking operation is being performed. These burners are of the well known Bunsen type and suitably connected to a source of air and gas pressure.

\Ve claim:

1." In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving and holding the mid portion of a blank, means for centering the blank in the chuck, means for rotating the chuck, means for moving blanks to and from the chuck, means for simultaneously heating the vends of said blanks, and means for imparting neck formation to the blank ends while rotated by said chuck.

2. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving and holding the mid portion of a blank, means for centering the blank longitudinally in the chuck, means for rotating the chuck, means for moving blanks to and from the chuck, means for simultaneously heating the ends of said blanks, formers for introduction into the blank ends while rotated b said chuck, and external cooperating mem ers between which are said formers the ends of the blanks are shaped.

3. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving and holding the mid portion of a blank, means for centering the blank longitudinally in the chuck, means for rotating the chuck, means for feeding blanks to and from the chuck, formers for engagement with the opposite ends of the blank, and means for simultaneously heating the ends of said blanks to permit the action of said formers.

4. In a machine for necking'the ends of vial blanks, a plurality of rotating chucks each adapted to receive and grip the mid portion of a blank, a revoluble carrier for said chucks, means for intermittently revolving said carrier, means for longitudinally centering blanks in said chucks, means for simultaneously heating the ends of said blanks, independent sets of neck forming devices for simultaneous engagement with the opposite ends of said blanks, said neck forming devices including formers for entering the Open ends of the blanks and external cooperating members between which and said formers the ends of the blanks are shaped, and means for moving the neck forming devices into and out of engagement with the ends of said blanks.

5. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving said blanks comprising a ring, a plurality of aw sections radially movable with respect to said ring, springs tending to separate said jaw sections and move the same outwardly, retaining collars engaging the opposite ends of said aw sections to hold the latter against the blanks, and means for keeping said collars in position.

6. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving said blanks comprising a ring, a series of jaws radially movable with respect to said ring, springs tending to separate said jaws and move the same outwardly, said jaws extending laterally beyond the sides of the ring, collars movable in said ring and engaging the ends of. said jaws to hold the same closed, squeezing means for moving the collars inwardly to release said jaws from engagement with a blank, and springs for acting upon said collars to move the same outwardly after release of the squeezing means.

7. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving said blanks comprising a series of jaws, a toothed ring having an open center receiving said jaws, springs tending to separate said jaws and move the same radially outward with respect to said ring, said jaws extending laterally beyond the sides of the toothed ring, collars axially movable in said ring and engaging the ends of said aws to hold the same closed, squeezing means for moving the collars inwardly to release said j aws from a blank, and springs for acting upon said collars to'move the same outwardly after release of the squeezing means.

8. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a jaw chuck for receiving said blanks, collars surrounding said jaws for holding the same closed, springs tending to separate said jaws and move the same out wardly, a pair of squeezing plates for operative engagement with said collars to permit the springs to open the jaws of the chuck, springs for spreadingsaid collars to close the jaws of the chuck against a blank after release of the squeezing means, and means for operating said squeezing plates.

9. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, the combination of a plurality of chucks, a carrier for the same, a pair of mutilated gears for rotating said carrier at intervals, and steadying means in engagement with one of said gears for said carrier during its moments of rest.

10. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, the combination of a plurality of chucks, a carrier for the same, means for rotating said carrier at intervals including a mutilated gear, means for continuously rotating the chucks, and steadying means for said carrier during its moments of rest comprising a gear for driving the mutilated gear and having a non-driving engaging portion for contact with a similar portion of the mutilated gear.

11. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, the combination of a plurality of chucks, a carrier for the same, means for roaaaams a tating said carrier at intervals including a pair of mutilated gears, means for continuously rotating the chucks, and steadying means for said carrier during its moments of rest comprising a discontinuous disk carried by one of said gears, the opposite gear having arcuate surfaces intermediate its toothed portions for engagement with said discontinuous disk during the non-rotative intervals of the chuck carrier.

12. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, a feed trou h, means for delivering blanks thereto, a chuck, means for opening the chuck to receive said blanks, and a longitudinally movable pusher for moving blanks into position in the chuck.

13. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, a feed trough, means for delivering blanks thereto, a chuck, means for opening the chuck to receive said blanks, a longitudinally movable pusher for moving blanks into position in the chuck, a lever pivotally connected to said pusher, and a rotating face plate for operating said lever.

14. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, a feed trou h, means for delivering blanks thereto, a c uck, means for opening the chuck to receive said blanks, means in axial -alinement therewith for moving blanks into position in the chuck, a face plate, means for moving the same, and an operative connection between said face plate and the blank moving means.

15. In a machine for preparing vial blanks, a chuck, means for delivering blanks thereto, means for squeezing said chuck to open the same comprising a pair of plates, rock shaft, connections between said rock shaft and said plates, a lever for operating said rock shaft, and a cam for actuating said lever.

16. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving and holding the mid-portion of a blank, said chuck comprising a central body member, plurality of j aw members mounted therein and arranged to rotate therewith, means for "forcing said jaw members away from each other, a cam member on each end of each jaw member, rings carried by the body memher having cam faces engaging the cam faces on the jaw members, "springs for separating said rings to force the aw members toward each other, means connected to the machine for simultaneously engaging said rings to open the chuck, together with blank feeding mechanism moving in alinement with the ring engaging means and axis of the chuck, means for rotating the chuck, means for simultaneously heating the ends of said blanks, and means for imparting neck formation to both ends of the blank while rotated by said chuck.

17. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a carrier, a plurality of chucks of said :blanks, and means for imparting neck formation to both ends of the blanks while being rotated by said chucks.

18. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a carrier, a plurality of chucks rotatably mounted in said carrier, a plurality of stations to which the chucks are arranged to be successively brought, means for intermittently moving the carrier to bring said chucks to said stations, means for rotating said chuck while at some of said stations, means for moving blanks to and from the chucks, means for simultaneously heating the ends of said blanks at one station, and means for imparting neck formation to both ends of the blanks at another station while rotating said chucks.

19. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a carrier, a plurality of chucks rotatably mounted in said carrier each adapted to receive and grip the mid-portion of a blank, means for intermittently moving said carrier, means for feeding blanks to said chucks and centering the blanks in the chucks, means for simultaneously heating the ends of the blanks, independent sets or neck forming devices for simultaneously engaging the opposite ends of said blanks, i

said neck forming devices including formers for entering the open ends of the blanks, and external cooperating members between which and said formers the ends of the blanks are shaped, and means for moving the neck forming devices into and out of engagement with the ends of said blanks.

20. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a carrier, a plurality of chucks rotatably mounted in the carrier, each arranged-to receive and grip the midportion of a blank, means for intermittently moving said carrier, a plurality of stations, means at one station for opening said chucks and feeding blanks thereto arranged to longitudinally center the blanks in the chucks, means at another station for heating the ends otsaid blanks, independent sets of neck forming devices at another station for simultaneously engaging the opposite ends of said blanks, means for moving the neck formers into and out of engagement with the ends of the blanks, and means for rotating the chucks during the heating and neck formation.

21. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a carrier, a plurality of chucks rotatably mounted in the carrier. each ar ranged to receive and grip the mid-portion of a blank, means for intermittently moving said carrier, a plurality of stations, means at one station for opening said chucks and feeding blanks thereto and arranged to longitudinally center the blanks in the chucks, means at another station for heating the ends of said blanks, independent sets of neck forming devices at another station for simultaneously engaging the opposite ends of said blanks, means for moving the neck formers into and out of engagement with the ends of the blanks, means for rotating the chucks during the heating and neck for-,

mation, and means for centering and steadying the chucks when at said stations.

22. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiving and holding the mid-portion of a blank, means for engaging opposite sides of the chuck for opening the same, means for moving'blanks into said chucks and centering them when the chucks are open, means for simultaneously heating the ends of the blank, and means for imparting necli formation to the blank ends While rotated by said chucks.

. 23. In a machine for necking the ends of vial blanks, a chuck for receiv'in and holding the mid-portion of a blank cans for rotating the chuck, means for simultaneously engaging opposite sides of the chucks for opening the chuck, means for feeding; a blank into the chuck while it is open and. for centering the blank therein, means fort simultaneously heating the ends of said blanks, and means for imparting neck formation to the blank ends while rotated by said chuck.

24. A vial necking machine, comprising an endless carrier, a plurality of chucks mounted on said carrier, means for moving said chucks step by step past a loading station, slides on each side of the chuck carrier, arranged to be moved into engagement with the chucks when they are brought to the loading station to open the chucks, means to feed blanks to one of said slides, a plunger for moving the blank into the chuck after the chuck has been opened, and actuating means for the slides and plunger, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM DAYTON FREDRICK. WARREN E. GLASPEY.

CHARLES F. 00X. Witnesses:

BARTON F. SHARP, WVALTER H. BACON, Jr. 

